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Totally and Completely Fine
From the bestselling author of Funny You Should Ask comes an inspiring romance novel about honoring the past, living in the present, and loving for the future.
In her small Montana hometown, Lauren Parker has assumed a few different roles: teenage hellraiser; sister of superstar Gabe Parker; and most recently, tragically widowed single mother. She’s never cared much about labels or what people thought about her, but dealing with her grief has slowly revealed that she’s become adrift in her own life.
Then she meets the devilishly handsome actor Ben Walsh on the set of her brother’s new movie. They have instant chemistry, and Lauren realizes that it has been far too long since someone has really and truly seen her. Her rebellious spirit spurs her to dive headfirst into her desire, but when a sexy encounter becomes something more, Lauren finds herself balancing old roles and new possibilities.
There’s still plenty to contend with: small-town rumors, the complications of Ben’s fame, and her daughter’s unpredictable moods. An unexpected fling seemed simple at the time—so when did everything with Ben get so complicated? And is there enough room in her life for the woman Lauren wants to be? Alternating between Lauren’s past with Spencer and her present with Ben, Totally and Completely Fine illuminates what it means to find a life-changing love and be true to oneself in the process.
In her small Montana hometown, Lauren Parker has assumed a few different roles: teenage hellraiser; sister of superstar Gabe Parker; and most recently, tragically widowed single mother. She’s never cared much about labels or what people thought about her, but dealing with her grief has slowly revealed that she’s become adrift in her own life.
Then she meets the devilishly handsome actor Ben Walsh on the set of her brother’s new movie. They have instant chemistry, and Lauren realizes that it has been far too long since someone has really and truly seen her. Her rebellious spirit spurs her to dive headfirst into her desire, but when a sexy encounter becomes something more, Lauren finds herself balancing old roles and new possibilities.
There’s still plenty to contend with: small-town rumors, the complications of Ben’s fame, and her daughter’s unpredictable moods. An unexpected fling seemed simple at the time—so when did everything with Ben get so complicated? And is there enough room in her life for the woman Lauren wants to be? Alternating between Lauren’s past with Spencer and her present with Ben, Totally and Completely Fine illuminates what it means to find a life-changing love and be true to oneself in the process.
448 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2025
556 people are currently reading
50345 people want to read
About the author
Elissa Sussman
6 books2,203 followersWriter, reader, pumpkin pie eater.
I'm not very active on Goodreads, but I love hearing from readers. Visit my website to see how you can contact or connect with me!
Elissa Sussman is the author of the novel FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK, as well as the young adult novels, DRAWN THAT WAY, STRAY, and BURN.
She has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, an MFA from Pacific University, and in a previous life managed animators and organized spreadsheets at some of the best animation studios in the world, including Nickelodeon, Disney, Dreamworks, and Sony Imageworks. You can see her name in the credits of THE CROODS, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, and TANGLED.
She lives in her hometown of Los Angeles with her husband and their two dogs, Basil and Mozzarella.
I'm not very active on Goodreads, but I love hearing from readers. Visit my website to see how you can contact or connect with me!
Elissa Sussman is the author of the novel FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK, as well as the young adult novels, DRAWN THAT WAY, STRAY, and BURN.
She has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, an MFA from Pacific University, and in a previous life managed animators and organized spreadsheets at some of the best animation studios in the world, including Nickelodeon, Disney, Dreamworks, and Sony Imageworks. You can see her name in the credits of THE CROODS, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, and TANGLED.
She lives in her hometown of Los Angeles with her husband and their two dogs, Basil and Mozzarella.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 986 reviews
May 17, 2025
Elissa Sussman’s Totally and Completely Fine is a heartfelt, thought-provoking novel that dives into the messy, beautiful, and often painful realities of grief, love, and starting over. It’s the kind of story that stays with you, not just because of its emotional depth, but because it feels so real and relatable.
Lauren Parker is the kind of character you can’t help but root for. She’s never been one to follow the rules—whether as a rebellious teenager, the sister of a Hollywood star, or now, as a widowed single mother trying to find her footing in a small town where everyone seems to have an opinion about her life. When she crosses paths with Ben Walsh, a charming actor working on her brother’s film set, there’s an instant spark. What starts as a spontaneous escape from her complicated reality soon turns into something deeper, pushing Lauren to face the ghosts of her past and the uncertainty of what comes next.
The story unfolds through dual timelines, weaving together Lauren’s past with her late husband, Spencer, and her present with Ben. It’s a beautifully layered exploration of how love changes over time—how it can endure, evolve, and sometimes surprise us when we least expect it. Sussman’s writing is sharp and full of heart, balancing humor and raw emotion in a way that feels authentic. Lauren is a wonderfully complex protagonist—strong yet vulnerable, fiercely independent but still grappling with the weight of loss and the expectations others place on her. Her chemistry with Ben is electric, and while their relationship moves quickly, it’s less about a fairytale romance and more about how connection can help us heal and grow.
But this isn’t just a love story. Totally and Completely Fine digs into so much more—single parenthood, the suffocating nature of small-town gossip, and the pressure society puts on women to fit into certain roles. Sussman tackles these themes with honesty and nuance, especially when it comes to Lauren’s journey of rediscovering herself outside of grief. Her relationship with her daughter adds another layer of depth, capturing the bittersweet process of rebuilding a life after loss.
If you’re looking for a traditional, slow-burn romance, this might not be it. Instead, Sussman gives us something richer—a story about love as a catalyst for self-discovery and healing. It’s contemporary fiction at its best, blending wit, wisdom, and moments that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even see a little bit of yourself in Lauren’s struggles.
Totally and Completely Fine is a beautifully moving novel that reminds us it’s okay to not have it all figured out. It’s about finding light in the darkest places and learning to embrace the messy, imperfect journey of life.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Dell for the chance to read this gem—it’s one I won’t forget anytime soon.
Lauren Parker is the kind of character you can’t help but root for. She’s never been one to follow the rules—whether as a rebellious teenager, the sister of a Hollywood star, or now, as a widowed single mother trying to find her footing in a small town where everyone seems to have an opinion about her life. When she crosses paths with Ben Walsh, a charming actor working on her brother’s film set, there’s an instant spark. What starts as a spontaneous escape from her complicated reality soon turns into something deeper, pushing Lauren to face the ghosts of her past and the uncertainty of what comes next.
The story unfolds through dual timelines, weaving together Lauren’s past with her late husband, Spencer, and her present with Ben. It’s a beautifully layered exploration of how love changes over time—how it can endure, evolve, and sometimes surprise us when we least expect it. Sussman’s writing is sharp and full of heart, balancing humor and raw emotion in a way that feels authentic. Lauren is a wonderfully complex protagonist—strong yet vulnerable, fiercely independent but still grappling with the weight of loss and the expectations others place on her. Her chemistry with Ben is electric, and while their relationship moves quickly, it’s less about a fairytale romance and more about how connection can help us heal and grow.
But this isn’t just a love story. Totally and Completely Fine digs into so much more—single parenthood, the suffocating nature of small-town gossip, and the pressure society puts on women to fit into certain roles. Sussman tackles these themes with honesty and nuance, especially when it comes to Lauren’s journey of rediscovering herself outside of grief. Her relationship with her daughter adds another layer of depth, capturing the bittersweet process of rebuilding a life after loss.
If you’re looking for a traditional, slow-burn romance, this might not be it. Instead, Sussman gives us something richer—a story about love as a catalyst for self-discovery and healing. It’s contemporary fiction at its best, blending wit, wisdom, and moments that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even see a little bit of yourself in Lauren’s struggles.
Totally and Completely Fine is a beautifully moving novel that reminds us it’s okay to not have it all figured out. It’s about finding light in the darkest places and learning to embrace the messy, imperfect journey of life.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Dell for the chance to read this gem—it’s one I won’t forget anytime soon.
February 13, 2025
Take a shot every time it was mentioned that the male love interest was bisexual and then gave nothing to the plot. I felt like the author was hitting me over the head screaming, "Representation!!" with it contributing absolutely nothing. Honestly, this book just didn't do it for me. There was a whole lot of telling and not showing, and the love interests had zero chemistry. Their conversations gave off the vibe of someone who ChatGPT'd, "Write flirting dialogue between two strangers."
Unrelated to the quality of this book, why was this not marketed as a companion novel to Funny You Should Ask (which I LOVED btw), similar to Abby Jimenez's Part of Your World series? I feel like that was a massive missed opportunity since Funny You Should Ask was such a bit hit.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for sending me this book!
Unrelated to the quality of this book, why was this not marketed as a companion novel to Funny You Should Ask (which I LOVED btw), similar to Abby Jimenez's Part of Your World series? I feel like that was a massive missed opportunity since Funny You Should Ask was such a bit hit.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for sending me this book!
August 12, 2025
Totally and Completely Fine is a vibe that I just couldn't feel.
If we focus on the grief aspect of the story, then this is a good book.
Not only for the classic “it’ll hit you when you least expect it”; you can sense it between the lines that, behind this, there is someone who experienced grief and knows what she's talking about.
And that alone would have excused the predictable plot and even more predictable outcome, if it wouldn't be for Lauren.
Yes, our FMC will move on from the death of the love of her life, and she will learn to finally break the wall of silence that rule in that family, but I won't waste my time witnessing a person just ignoring whatever is wrong until she can't finally take it anymore — because it’s your daughter we’re talking about so, especially if you know what's wrong, you shouldn't wait THREE YEARS to talk to her because “you don't know how to do it”.
Personal feelings aside, I can't see this book as romance at all.
Lauren and Spencer, for how much I've enjoyed the story of their lives, have no chemistry; Lauren and Ben could have worked out as a “friends with benefits” thing but, the moment Ben is supposed to make her realize she can still love and whatnot, it just doesn't make any sense for me because it’s not love, it’s lust from the very first chapter — which is okay, but not if you're trying to sell me this thing as a big love story.
The narration doesn't help either: loved the short chapters and the flashbacks, but everything else is a constant remind of things — she's a widow, how difficult it is to live without her husband, her husband would know what to do, she's so lonely, she was reckless once but no more, her daughter hates her, his brother had problems but now he's fine, and, my personal favorite, Ben is bisexual.
The new guy she finds so, so, so attractive is bisexual.
But everyone finds him attractive, because he is attractive.
Boys. Girls. Whatever, it’s cool. It’s modern. He's so brave.
Because he's bisexual, you know?
↠ 2.5 stars (DFN @44%)
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
If we focus on the grief aspect of the story, then this is a good book.
Not only for the classic “it’ll hit you when you least expect it”; you can sense it between the lines that, behind this, there is someone who experienced grief and knows what she's talking about.
And that alone would have excused the predictable plot and even more predictable outcome, if it wouldn't be for Lauren.
Yes, our FMC will move on from the death of the love of her life, and she will learn to finally break the wall of silence that rule in that family, but I won't waste my time witnessing a person just ignoring whatever is wrong until she can't finally take it anymore — because it’s your daughter we’re talking about so, especially if you know what's wrong, you shouldn't wait THREE YEARS to talk to her because “you don't know how to do it”.
Personal feelings aside, I can't see this book as romance at all.
Lauren and Spencer, for how much I've enjoyed the story of their lives, have no chemistry; Lauren and Ben could have worked out as a “friends with benefits” thing but, the moment Ben is supposed to make her realize she can still love and whatnot, it just doesn't make any sense for me because it’s not love, it’s lust from the very first chapter — which is okay, but not if you're trying to sell me this thing as a big love story.
The narration doesn't help either: loved the short chapters and the flashbacks, but everything else is a constant remind of things — she's a widow, how difficult it is to live without her husband, her husband would know what to do, she's so lonely, she was reckless once but no more, her daughter hates her, his brother had problems but now he's fine, and, my personal favorite, Ben is bisexual.
The new guy she finds so, so, so attractive is bisexual.
But everyone finds him attractive, because he is attractive.
Boys. Girls. Whatever, it’s cool. It’s modern. He's so brave.
Because he's bisexual, you know?
↠ 2.5 stars (DFN @44%)
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
June 2, 2025
What a muddled mess. It NEVER gets quite where it should be.
Let’s just say the phrase Totally and Completely Fine is everywhere in this book and in the early reviews. But here’s the truth. This book was totally and completely… okay.
You don’t need to read Funny You Should Ask first, but it definitely helps. This is a companion novel, and while Lauren is our new main character, her brother Gabe and his love story with Chani do make an appearance. Their backstory gets a quick mention, but if you haven’t read the first book, it’s confusing and underexplained. A little more context would have gone a long way.
Totally and Completely Fine tries to juggle a lot and never quite pulls it off. It felt like Sussman had several ideas for what this book could be but couldn’t fully commit to one.
There’s a romance with a charming actor named Ben, but there’s no real connection until the final stretch. There’s a cozy small-town setting in Cooper, Montana, but Lauren doesn’t seem to enjoy it or her job running a book and craft store. There’s grief and healing as Lauren navigates life as a widow through dual timelines with her late husband Spencer, but the emotional depth is missing. There’s also a storyline about Ben and Gabe helping build a community theater (or is it a play?), but it barely gets any development.
The book floats somewhere between a lighthearted rom-com and a story about grief and identity. While those elements can absolutely work together, here they feel mismatched. The characters don’t really grow. Lauren’s mom, who lives in Cooper, is barely present. Her daughter Lena is constantly unhappy and hard to connect with. And in the end, I wasn’t sure what the book was really trying to say.
It’s not a bad read. It’s just not a great one. Totally and completely fine pretty much sums it up.
Let’s just say the phrase Totally and Completely Fine is everywhere in this book and in the early reviews. But here’s the truth. This book was totally and completely… okay.
You don’t need to read Funny You Should Ask first, but it definitely helps. This is a companion novel, and while Lauren is our new main character, her brother Gabe and his love story with Chani do make an appearance. Their backstory gets a quick mention, but if you haven’t read the first book, it’s confusing and underexplained. A little more context would have gone a long way.
Totally and Completely Fine tries to juggle a lot and never quite pulls it off. It felt like Sussman had several ideas for what this book could be but couldn’t fully commit to one.
There’s a romance with a charming actor named Ben, but there’s no real connection until the final stretch. There’s a cozy small-town setting in Cooper, Montana, but Lauren doesn’t seem to enjoy it or her job running a book and craft store. There’s grief and healing as Lauren navigates life as a widow through dual timelines with her late husband Spencer, but the emotional depth is missing. There’s also a storyline about Ben and Gabe helping build a community theater (or is it a play?), but it barely gets any development.
The book floats somewhere between a lighthearted rom-com and a story about grief and identity. While those elements can absolutely work together, here they feel mismatched. The characters don’t really grow. Lauren’s mom, who lives in Cooper, is barely present. Her daughter Lena is constantly unhappy and hard to connect with. And in the end, I wasn’t sure what the book was really trying to say.
It’s not a bad read. It’s just not a great one. Totally and completely fine pretty much sums it up.
August 3, 2025
♡ thank you to Random House (Ballantine) and Elissa Sussman for an ARC of this book! ♡
4.5/5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
📖 plot & pace: i was hooked from the first page with this book! this is such a raw book. it touches on love, loss and grief but turns them into something so beautiful. i truly adored this book. this was a medium paced book, it never truly had its slow moments. there were so many pieces to Lauren's life that you were interested. ALWAYS.
👥 characters: i loved the characters in this book. all of them had their own internal battles and their energies felt so real. i could truly relate to many of the scenarios in this book. Ally is the best friend i've always dreamed of, lena is the typical teenage girl going through unthinkable things, ben is such a great book boyfriend and lauren is just trying her best. this book felt so real and raw to me!
🤩 tropes: grief & loss, small town romance (ish?), brothers best friend (x2)
this was such a good book! i just wish there was more chemistry between lauren and ben in the beginning. it seemed they just jumped to taking each others clothes off LOL. i lovee the writing style here and id seriously recommend this to anyone!!
4.5/5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
📖 plot & pace: i was hooked from the first page with this book! this is such a raw book. it touches on love, loss and grief but turns them into something so beautiful. i truly adored this book. this was a medium paced book, it never truly had its slow moments. there were so many pieces to Lauren's life that you were interested. ALWAYS.
👥 characters: i loved the characters in this book. all of them had their own internal battles and their energies felt so real. i could truly relate to many of the scenarios in this book. Ally is the best friend i've always dreamed of, lena is the typical teenage girl going through unthinkable things, ben is such a great book boyfriend and lauren is just trying her best. this book felt so real and raw to me!
🤩 tropes: grief & loss, small town romance (ish?), brothers best friend (x2)
this was such a good book! i just wish there was more chemistry between lauren and ben in the beginning. it seemed they just jumped to taking each others clothes off LOL. i lovee the writing style here and id seriously recommend this to anyone!!
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August 31, 2025dnf 43%
Literally, one of my most anticipated books of the year turned out to be nothing like I expected. Boring? Check—I kept forgetting I was even reading it. An annoying, not-my-type heroine? Check. No chemistry between the main characters and zero build-up to their relationship (just pure lust with no real connection)? Check and check. The relationship with the heroine’s dead husband felt more compelling than the one with the supposed male lead? Check.
So yeah, unfortunately, this story turned out to be Totally and Completely NOT Fine for me.
Literally, one of my most anticipated books of the year turned out to be nothing like I expected. Boring? Check—I kept forgetting I was even reading it. An annoying, not-my-type heroine? Check. No chemistry between the main characters and zero build-up to their relationship (just pure lust with no real connection)? Check and check. The relationship with the heroine’s dead husband felt more compelling than the one with the supposed male lead? Check.
So yeah, unfortunately, this story turned out to be Totally and Completely NOT Fine for me.
June 17, 2025
4.5/5
what a great way to start my day, SOBBING
a couple years ago i read, and loved, funny you should ask which is a book by this author where we meet the main character for this book. lauren, our main character, is a widowed mother and sister of a movie star. she's also like really cool and amazing and talented and creative!! i usually don't pick up books where one of the main characters has lost a spouse because i just don't find them enjoyable. i usually get too stuck on the old relationship and can't support the new one. i should have trusted miss sussman though because this was so sweet and so beautiful.
ben, a movie star who is besties with lauren's movie star brother, meets lauren and they have such an instant connection but she's going back to montana and he's shooting a movie. when ben shows up in montana for a play, thats when their relationship stars for real. honestly before ben showed up in montana i wasn't loving this book. i was enjoying getting to know everyone but i felt completely out of the story. ben being where everyone else was made the story so much better and i adored his connection with lena. yes, the romance was lovely and it was so heartwarming to see lauren fall in love with ben and this new stage in her life. but ben and lena forming a bond took the cake for me. the way he was so soft with her and opened a line of communication about death and their sexualities... i'm in love!!!
this book is told in alternating timeline, one with lauren's husband and one with ben. while reading i didn't fully appreciate the past timelines. it was really hard to go from rooting for ben and seeing them kiss, to seeing spencer and being sad for lauren and lena, their daughter. but once i finished the book i realized how the past chapters made the story richer and they made me more connected to the two girls. i was sobbing when i finished the epilogue and then i went to get coffee and sobbed some more in my car. this book would probably be five stars but the first 15/20 percent was weird and hard to get into. i highly recommend you pick this up in july, also read funny you should ask first for the full experience!!
*thank you dell and netgalley for the arc!!*
what a great way to start my day, SOBBING
a couple years ago i read, and loved, funny you should ask which is a book by this author where we meet the main character for this book. lauren, our main character, is a widowed mother and sister of a movie star. she's also like really cool and amazing and talented and creative!! i usually don't pick up books where one of the main characters has lost a spouse because i just don't find them enjoyable. i usually get too stuck on the old relationship and can't support the new one. i should have trusted miss sussman though because this was so sweet and so beautiful.
ben, a movie star who is besties with lauren's movie star brother, meets lauren and they have such an instant connection but she's going back to montana and he's shooting a movie. when ben shows up in montana for a play, thats when their relationship stars for real. honestly before ben showed up in montana i wasn't loving this book. i was enjoying getting to know everyone but i felt completely out of the story. ben being where everyone else was made the story so much better and i adored his connection with lena. yes, the romance was lovely and it was so heartwarming to see lauren fall in love with ben and this new stage in her life. but ben and lena forming a bond took the cake for me. the way he was so soft with her and opened a line of communication about death and their sexualities... i'm in love!!!
this book is told in alternating timeline, one with lauren's husband and one with ben. while reading i didn't fully appreciate the past timelines. it was really hard to go from rooting for ben and seeing them kiss, to seeing spencer and being sad for lauren and lena, their daughter. but once i finished the book i realized how the past chapters made the story richer and they made me more connected to the two girls. i was sobbing when i finished the epilogue and then i went to get coffee and sobbed some more in my car. this book would probably be five stars but the first 15/20 percent was weird and hard to get into. i highly recommend you pick this up in july, also read funny you should ask first for the full experience!!
*thank you dell and netgalley for the arc!!*
August 22, 2025
DNF at 40% — unfortunately this just missed the mark for me. I LOVED Funny You Should Ask and wanted more of that flare and vibe but this was not it. The pacing felt way off and I did not feel any connection with our MMC. The plot didn’t grab me enough to keep reading —life is too short to trudge through a book you’re not enjoying so I’ve decided to DNF.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
January 19, 2025
my head hurts from crying so much
Totally and Completely Fine was such an emotional read. The grief throughout this book was written well. I love the way Elissa writes between 'then' and 'now' chapters in her stories. It always makes me want to keep reading. Personally, I preferred the 'then' chapters as Lauren and Spencer’s love story was beautiful and I rooted for them so much, even though this story is about Lauren and her family's grief because Spencer passed away. What kept this book from being five stars was the "love" story between Lauren and Ben. From the start, they are sexually attracted to each other and sleep with each other quickly, but throughout the book, it never felt as if their feelings went any deeper than physical. Lauren and Ben's type of romance is just not something I ever like reading as it is hard for me to root for. It is another reason I preferred Spencer's love story with Lauren because they felt so real and pure. I understand the point that Lauren would experience different types of love but I just wish her and Ben were written in a more romantic way. We also get to see Chani&Gabe and Ollie in this book as well as Lena, Lauren's thirteen year old daughter. Finally, I loved getting to see more of Chani and Gabe as a couple and through Lauren's point of view. I would still read anything Elissa Sussman writes, and I look forward to her next book!
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the arc!
Totally and Completely Fine was such an emotional read. The grief throughout this book was written well. I love the way Elissa writes between 'then' and 'now' chapters in her stories. It always makes me want to keep reading. Personally, I preferred the 'then' chapters as Lauren and Spencer’s love story was beautiful and I rooted for them so much, even though this story is about Lauren and her family's grief because Spencer passed away. What kept this book from being five stars was the "love" story between Lauren and Ben. From the start, they are sexually attracted to each other and sleep with each other quickly, but throughout the book, it never felt as if their feelings went any deeper than physical. Lauren and Ben's type of romance is just not something I ever like reading as it is hard for me to root for. It is another reason I preferred Spencer's love story with Lauren because they felt so real and pure. I understand the point that Lauren would experience different types of love but I just wish her and Ben were written in a more romantic way. We also get to see Chani&Gabe and Ollie in this book as well as Lena, Lauren's thirteen year old daughter. Finally, I loved getting to see more of Chani and Gabe as a couple and through Lauren's point of view. I would still read anything Elissa Sussman writes, and I look forward to her next book!
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the arc!
Want to read
March 16, 2025Again with my golden fish memory I should just change my name to Dory thank you so much Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the early copy 💕💕
July 13, 2025
I’m not gonna lie - I liked this one wayyy more than I expected to!!🤌 though maybe if I realized it was a companion novel to Funny You Should Ask (which I loved) I wouldn’t have been surprised!
✨single mom x famous actor
✨age gap
✨grief journeys - she’s a widow who lost her childhood sweetheart and her daughter is a teenager trying to both find who she is at a pivotal age but also trying to mourn her father!!
✨they’re “just having fun”🤭
✨then and now timelines!
I love this cast of characters, the literal family and the found family! I loved watching Lauren and Lena’s relationship change and grow and how they both navigated Spencer’s loss - it felt very honest and raw. While admittedly the romance of this was my least favorite part it was still veryy solid! And honestly Ben is a catch🤩 I recommend! And the audio was good too!🫶
✨single mom x famous actor
✨age gap
✨grief journeys - she’s a widow who lost her childhood sweetheart and her daughter is a teenager trying to both find who she is at a pivotal age but also trying to mourn her father!!
✨they’re “just having fun”🤭
✨then and now timelines!
I love this cast of characters, the literal family and the found family! I loved watching Lauren and Lena’s relationship change and grow and how they both navigated Spencer’s loss - it felt very honest and raw. While admittedly the romance of this was my least favorite part it was still veryy solid! And honestly Ben is a catch🤩 I recommend! And the audio was good too!🫶
July 8, 2025
⍟»Happy Publishing Day!!«⍟
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I want to start by saying this is the first Elissa Sussman book I’ve read. I haven’t read Funny You Should Ask (yet) but I don’t feel it’s necessary to read it to love this book. BUT there are overlap characters from what I’ve read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC. I’m happy to share my honest review.
I’ve read a lot of romance books (especially in the last year), but this was unlike anything I’ve read. It was refreshingly raw and (mostly) relatable. I didn’t know I needed this book, but I feel better and lighter after reading it. I laughed, but really I cried (which I don’t often do). This was so much more than romance. It was about the many layers of grief (from multiple perspectives), a single mother of a grieving child, loving someone with addiction, the impact of purity culture—especially in small towns, all while mixing in friendship betrayal, LGBTQ+ characters, and a 40 something woman taking it one day at a time.
It’s a dual timeline with dual MMCs (Spencer then, Ben now), and the way it’s written makes you feel for both of them in very different ways, just like one would in life. It is rare to only have one love in a lifetime, so the reality of this book showing how Lauren moves on after losing her first love was superbly poetic. It’s not so much about moving on as it is about allowing yourself to move on. Which is heartbreaking AND beautiful. All while she maneuvered being a mom to a 13 year old girl who is angry at the world.
Another theme that got to me was that the FMC was taught—and perpetuated—how to stuff your feelings and don’t ask for help. 100% relatable!
The way this was written and the placement of Then vs. Now was wonderfully crafted. It paralleled what I would assume it’s like to be so enveloped by grief and allowing time to help you heal, only for grief to pop up at any time. The ending gutted me. And that’s not a spoiler because I won’t say if it’s happy or sad. You need to make that decision—I’ll just say it was poignant and very well timed/placed.
This book gives a whole new meaning to “When one chapter ends…” and I am so excited for people to read it so it can start great conversations.
Read the content warnings, but also if you were raised believing in purity and abstinence in the church, this book might trigger you. But it might also give you a new, deeper perspective.
❤️Slow burn, steamy with mostly closed doors (which I could discuss how well this was done, too!)
❤️ High school sweetheart
❤️ LGBTQ+ representation
❤️ Widow, single mom
❤️ Reverse age gap
─────────────────────────
I want to start by saying this is the first Elissa Sussman book I’ve read. I haven’t read Funny You Should Ask (yet) but I don’t feel it’s necessary to read it to love this book. BUT there are overlap characters from what I’ve read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC. I’m happy to share my honest review.
I’ve read a lot of romance books (especially in the last year), but this was unlike anything I’ve read. It was refreshingly raw and (mostly) relatable. I didn’t know I needed this book, but I feel better and lighter after reading it. I laughed, but really I cried (which I don’t often do). This was so much more than romance. It was about the many layers of grief (from multiple perspectives), a single mother of a grieving child, loving someone with addiction, the impact of purity culture—especially in small towns, all while mixing in friendship betrayal, LGBTQ+ characters, and a 40 something woman taking it one day at a time.
It’s a dual timeline with dual MMCs (Spencer then, Ben now), and the way it’s written makes you feel for both of them in very different ways, just like one would in life. It is rare to only have one love in a lifetime, so the reality of this book showing how Lauren moves on after losing her first love was superbly poetic. It’s not so much about moving on as it is about allowing yourself to move on. Which is heartbreaking AND beautiful. All while she maneuvered being a mom to a 13 year old girl who is angry at the world.
Another theme that got to me was that the FMC was taught—and perpetuated—how to stuff your feelings and don’t ask for help. 100% relatable!
The way this was written and the placement of Then vs. Now was wonderfully crafted. It paralleled what I would assume it’s like to be so enveloped by grief and allowing time to help you heal, only for grief to pop up at any time. The ending gutted me. And that’s not a spoiler because I won’t say if it’s happy or sad. You need to make that decision—I’ll just say it was poignant and very well timed/placed.
This book gives a whole new meaning to “When one chapter ends…” and I am so excited for people to read it so it can start great conversations.
Read the content warnings, but also if you were raised believing in purity and abstinence in the church, this book might trigger you. But it might also give you a new, deeper perspective.
❤️Slow burn, steamy with mostly closed doors (which I could discuss how well this was done, too!)
❤️ High school sweetheart
❤️ LGBTQ+ representation
❤️ Widow, single mom
❤️ Reverse age gap
April 25, 2025
4.5⭐️
When it comes to celebrity romances, no one writes them like Elissa Sussman. I have been not so patiently waiting for this book since it was announced and I devoured it in less than 24 hours. I love that Sussman returns us to the world of the Parker family - I absolutely loved getting more glimpses into Gabe and Chani’s story.
Typically I’m not an insta love/lust fan because I find there isn’t much in the way of emotional connection, friendship or intimacy, but my gosh, it worked phenomenally here because Sussman brought those important pieces into play after the initial fireworks and I couldn’t get enough. Lauren and Ben’s chemistry is undeniable - I LOVE that she’s older - and things are hot and heavy in the beginning, but then they pull things back and focus on their emotional connection and fostering intimacy.
This is the perfect read for the summer, but while you’re packing it in your beach or pool bag, you might want to add some tissues too. While this is a romance, it is very much a story about loving and grief being an extension of our hearts’ ability and capacity to love and care for others. It was beautiful and at times heart wrenching reading the ‘then’ chapters where Lauren and Spencer’s love story was unfolding and then jumping back to the present where Lauren and the family were trying to process their grief and figure out who to keep living following Spencer’s passing.
I appreciated how messy and layered this story is because it reflects the complexity of real life and how each of us are imperfect and a little broken, but worthy of loving and being loved.
When it comes to celebrity romances, no one writes them like Elissa Sussman. I have been not so patiently waiting for this book since it was announced and I devoured it in less than 24 hours. I love that Sussman returns us to the world of the Parker family - I absolutely loved getting more glimpses into Gabe and Chani’s story.
Typically I’m not an insta love/lust fan because I find there isn’t much in the way of emotional connection, friendship or intimacy, but my gosh, it worked phenomenally here because Sussman brought those important pieces into play after the initial fireworks and I couldn’t get enough. Lauren and Ben’s chemistry is undeniable - I LOVE that she’s older - and things are hot and heavy in the beginning, but then they pull things back and focus on their emotional connection and fostering intimacy.
This is the perfect read for the summer, but while you’re packing it in your beach or pool bag, you might want to add some tissues too. While this is a romance, it is very much a story about loving and grief being an extension of our hearts’ ability and capacity to love and care for others. It was beautiful and at times heart wrenching reading the ‘then’ chapters where Lauren and Spencer’s love story was unfolding and then jumping back to the present where Lauren and the family were trying to process their grief and figure out who to keep living following Spencer’s passing.
I appreciated how messy and layered this story is because it reflects the complexity of real life and how each of us are imperfect and a little broken, but worthy of loving and being loved.
June 22, 2025
Huge thanks to PRH Audio and Dell Romance for the free audiobook!
It’s probably time to admit that Elissa Sussman is a one-hit wonder for me, because I was entirely underwhelmed by this disjointed romance and wasn’t won over by Once More With Feeling either. Where the complex timeline in Funny You Should Ask added a lot of richness and tension to the story, the dueling timelines in Totally and Completely Fine simply made every plot point feel underdeveloped. It felt so scattered - the heroine’s love story with her deceased husband, her strained relationship with her teenage daughter, her brother’s role in her life, and then finally her fling with an up-and-coming celebrity. I know that it was all meant to showcase how the past has influenced the heroine’s present, but everything ended up feeling surface level as a result. I struggled to connect with the characters, and was left feeling wholly uninvested in seeing them find their way together.
The story follows Lauren, a widow who lost her husband a few years ago. Still trying to get out of the fog of grief, Lauren’s relationships are all a little strained. So when she meets a sexy young actor with a playboy reputation, Lauren doesn’t see the harm in spending the night together. Ben has a bright career in front of him, and Lauren is confident that he won’t get attached. But when Ben continues to keep in contact, their relationship starts to head in a direction Lauren never anticipated.
First and foremost, this is very much a sequel to Funny You Should Ask, with overlapping characters and timelines. I’ve read about a thousand books since FYSA, so it took me a bit to settle in and remember some of the things Lauren referenced. I also struggled with how much we bounced between the past and present, with two totally different love stories developing throughout the book. I like the idea of seeing how Lauren’s past has shaped her, but the execution didn’t work. I felt like I didn’t know Ben well, and their relationship was lust-focused for sure. I didn’t particularly like Lauren as a person either, which was unexpected. Ultimately, it wasn’t a win for me, but there were elements that showed so much promise.
Audio note: The audio is good, no complaints there. Since the story is told entirely from Lauren’s perspective, we get a single narrator. Patti Muran’s voice is easy to listen to, and just right for the women’s fiction vibes. At about 11 hours, it’s a full day binge. There’s some spice sprinkled throughout, so probably not the best choice for the office, but the overall tone works well in the format.
It’s probably time to admit that Elissa Sussman is a one-hit wonder for me, because I was entirely underwhelmed by this disjointed romance and wasn’t won over by Once More With Feeling either. Where the complex timeline in Funny You Should Ask added a lot of richness and tension to the story, the dueling timelines in Totally and Completely Fine simply made every plot point feel underdeveloped. It felt so scattered - the heroine’s love story with her deceased husband, her strained relationship with her teenage daughter, her brother’s role in her life, and then finally her fling with an up-and-coming celebrity. I know that it was all meant to showcase how the past has influenced the heroine’s present, but everything ended up feeling surface level as a result. I struggled to connect with the characters, and was left feeling wholly uninvested in seeing them find their way together.
The story follows Lauren, a widow who lost her husband a few years ago. Still trying to get out of the fog of grief, Lauren’s relationships are all a little strained. So when she meets a sexy young actor with a playboy reputation, Lauren doesn’t see the harm in spending the night together. Ben has a bright career in front of him, and Lauren is confident that he won’t get attached. But when Ben continues to keep in contact, their relationship starts to head in a direction Lauren never anticipated.
First and foremost, this is very much a sequel to Funny You Should Ask, with overlapping characters and timelines. I’ve read about a thousand books since FYSA, so it took me a bit to settle in and remember some of the things Lauren referenced. I also struggled with how much we bounced between the past and present, with two totally different love stories developing throughout the book. I like the idea of seeing how Lauren’s past has shaped her, but the execution didn’t work. I felt like I didn’t know Ben well, and their relationship was lust-focused for sure. I didn’t particularly like Lauren as a person either, which was unexpected. Ultimately, it wasn’t a win for me, but there were elements that showed so much promise.
Audio note: The audio is good, no complaints there. Since the story is told entirely from Lauren’s perspective, we get a single narrator. Patti Muran’s voice is easy to listen to, and just right for the women’s fiction vibes. At about 11 hours, it’s a full day binge. There’s some spice sprinkled throughout, so probably not the best choice for the office, but the overall tone works well in the format.
July 29, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
This was honestly a beautiful story that I was not anticipating! This was not just a romance, it dug info grief, parenthood, addiction, and other real life struggles. Lauren was such a real character, and she felt like some I could meet tomorrow. I loved getting to know her through the dual timeline (the quickest way to get me hooked into a book). Getting to see her love story with Spencer and Ben was beautiful. I wish we got more of a beginning with her and Ben, but the chaos of there relationship was very human. I loved Lena, Eve, Ollie, and so many other characters in this story. This was such a good read, and I absolutely will be recommending
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the digital ARC! All opinions are my own.
This was honestly a beautiful story that I was not anticipating! This was not just a romance, it dug info grief, parenthood, addiction, and other real life struggles. Lauren was such a real character, and she felt like some I could meet tomorrow. I loved getting to know her through the dual timeline (the quickest way to get me hooked into a book). Getting to see her love story with Spencer and Ben was beautiful. I wish we got more of a beginning with her and Ben, but the chaos of there relationship was very human. I loved Lena, Eve, Ollie, and so many other characters in this story. This was such a good read, and I absolutely will be recommending
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the digital ARC! All opinions are my own.
July 23, 2025
Apparently, this is the year in which I am consistently disappointed by previously enjoyed romance authors. I appreciate the attempt at depth and the writing is good. There’s just so much going on in this one and yet somehow also not enough. This is told in alternating chapters - one about her relationship with her dead husband and the other one about her current interest. I honestly didn’t care all that much about her dead husband and it pulled momentum away from the current interest. I think that did a disservice to their story because it never moved beyond lust. Ever. Had they had more of their own chapters, maybe an actual rationale for their attraction to each other beyond lust could have been developed. And I do not understand how their 11 year age difference was just never discussed. There’s nothing wrong with it but there is still a wide experience gap between a 30 yr old never married man and a 41 yr old widow and mother. You would think it would come up at some point?
August 13, 2025
The very definition of "meh." I am not a giant fan of what is usually branded as "women's fiction." Perhaps if I were, I would have liked this more. It is marketed as "romance," which is a genre I enjoy, but it is not that. The central romance, Ben and Lauren, is not really a romance at all. They have nothing in common, they are both essentially decent, and they tell us over and over that they have great sex, but there was no chemistry on the page. Lauren is a widow with a kid living in Montana. Ben is a nascent movie star. For those who read Funny You Should Ask, Sussman's first book (which I liked a lot) Lauren is the sister of that book's MMC, Gabe, who is very much a character in this book. There is also a side stoty about Lauren's tween daughter navigating queerness and receiving counsel from Ben (who is bi) and Ollie (also in Funny You Should Ask, and Gay) that was sweet. The main story is all about Lauren as she tries to process and come out of her grief. She gets her groove back with Ben (yay her!) but how this is undeniable life-changing love is a mystery. This book is entirely competent, but there are hundreds of better books about moving through grief and hundreds of dreamier books about falling in love. A 2.5.
July 28, 2025
3.5/5 stars
This is an age gap romance. This is a companion book to Funny You Should Ask. This book is Lauren’s story. However Gabe and Chani (from the first book) have supporting roles in this book.
This is a review of the audiobook read by Patti Murin.
This book is Lauren’s story. She is Gabe’s sister. She is a 41 year old widow with a 13 year old daughter.
The book has a past/present storyline. The past sections are about her husband Spencer. And the present features her grief over losing her husband. As well as what it’s like raising a troubled rambunctious teen. It also features her relationship with bisexual movie star Ben Walsh who is 30.
This book does feature romance. But it is much more than that. The grief aspect is such a big part of the story. And it was honestly hard for me to read.
There is a bit of Jewish rep as Chani is Jewish. But I was really hoping for more Jewish rep.
I really liked Patti Murin as Lauren. I’ve listened to her before and I enjoy her. This is a female POV only book. However the audiobook does have Patti do Gabe and Ben’s voices, and those parts of the audiobook were just okay for me.
This book is set in a small town. I did enjoy that part of the story. And Lauren’s relationship with her brother was so good. I definitely preferred the present part of the story. Overall the romance was good. But there is much more to the book.
February 8, 2025
Thank you for the advanced copy! It’s always a privilege to receive and review a book prior to publication.
To be candid, I almost DNF’d this novel multiple times. The writing was well-done, but the story and characters fell flat for me. It almost seemed to be doing too much at once and all at a surface-level. Was this a romance? A book about grief and healing? Alcoholism? Coming of age? The characters did not have much depth, and even without needing more about the brother or late husband; I wish the daughter had more of a personality. Lauren’s relationship with Ben was unrealistic and oversexualized. And then it’s over? Great sex means missing out on a huge movie career? Ugh. I don’t know. I’m disappointed. I can’t even think of an audience for recommendations.
To be candid, I almost DNF’d this novel multiple times. The writing was well-done, but the story and characters fell flat for me. It almost seemed to be doing too much at once and all at a surface-level. Was this a romance? A book about grief and healing? Alcoholism? Coming of age? The characters did not have much depth, and even without needing more about the brother or late husband; I wish the daughter had more of a personality. Lauren’s relationship with Ben was unrealistic and oversexualized. And then it’s over? Great sex means missing out on a huge movie career? Ugh. I don’t know. I’m disappointed. I can’t even think of an audience for recommendations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2025
Beautiful book about love, grief, and family. Maybe it’s because I’ve been reading a lot of fairytale romance, but I was hooked by the realness of this book. The short chapters moved you between the past and present and tackled tough subjects while guiding you through it. Will need to read everything else Elissa Sussman has got on her shelves.
Thank you NetGalley & Random House for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley & Random House for the ARC!
August 26, 2025
I remember liking Funny You Should Ask and Once More with Feeling, so it was a no-brainer that I would pick up Elissa Sussman latest showbiz-romance. This time we follow Lauren Parker, sister of movie star Gabe Parker - the main character of Funny You Should Ask.
Lauren visits Gabe at his film set with her teen daughter when she locks eyes with Gabe’s co-star, Ben Walsh. Lauren can’t look away, but neither can he.
Their chemistry was instantly intense. It was actually too much to my taste, as they were exchanging orgasms within, like, two or three paragraphs after meeting - but I ended up loving both characters so, so much! They communicated well, were mindful of each other’s feelings, and were generally likeable characters.
The story jumps between a THEN and NOW. Lauren lost her husband, Spencer, three years ago in an accident, and in the THEN we see Lauren and Spencer as teens, falling in love and building their family. In the NOW we follow Lauren, still grieving, but also knowing to not hold back on loving someone - and I won’t deny that I cried towards the end.
While this book could be called a celebrity-commoner romance, I think this installment needed the showbiz setting the least. I even think they could’ve skipped the smut, because the story of Lauren having not one, but two true loves was great by itself.
Lauren visits Gabe at his film set with her teen daughter when she locks eyes with Gabe’s co-star, Ben Walsh. Lauren can’t look away, but neither can he.
Their chemistry was instantly intense. It was actually too much to my taste, as they were exchanging orgasms within, like, two or three paragraphs after meeting - but I ended up loving both characters so, so much! They communicated well, were mindful of each other’s feelings, and were generally likeable characters.
The story jumps between a THEN and NOW. Lauren lost her husband, Spencer, three years ago in an accident, and in the THEN we see Lauren and Spencer as teens, falling in love and building their family. In the NOW we follow Lauren, still grieving, but also knowing to not hold back on loving someone - and I won’t deny that I cried towards the end.
While this book could be called a celebrity-commoner romance, I think this installment needed the showbiz setting the least. I even think they could’ve skipped the smut, because the story of Lauren having not one, but two true loves was great by itself.
July 2, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced reader copy of Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. This novel is a “totally and completely fine” mashup of grief and healing, romance, coming of age story and family drama. It’s ambitious in everything that it’s trying to accomplish, but it did not fully succeed for me. The story focuses on Lauren, a 40-year old widow and mother to her 13-year old daughter, Lena. Lauren is the older sister of Gabe Parker, a famous actor and the MMC in Ms Sussman’s companion novel, Funny You Should Ask.
The story is told in short chapters from Lauren’s perspective using alternating time lines. The reader gets a glimpse at Lauren’s rebellious teen years and how she met her husband, Spencer, as well as in the present when meets Ben, a handsome, on the cusp of stardom actor. Lauren is the most fully developed character, and I rooted for her happy ending. She’s written in a raw, messy way. Her grief and attempts to do her best for her daughter and her brother felt authentic.
The author attempted to wrap up the novel while simultaneously introducing new plot lines, which didn’t totally work for me. She briefly explores sexuality, single parenthood, addiction, and religion/spirituality, but it felt incomplete and I was left unsatisfied. And although I love and appreciate a happy ending, this ending seemed somewhat unbelievable. Overall this talented writer may have overextended themselves with this novel, attempting to juggle too many elements at once. 3.5/5⭐️
The story is told in short chapters from Lauren’s perspective using alternating time lines. The reader gets a glimpse at Lauren’s rebellious teen years and how she met her husband, Spencer, as well as in the present when meets Ben, a handsome, on the cusp of stardom actor. Lauren is the most fully developed character, and I rooted for her happy ending. She’s written in a raw, messy way. Her grief and attempts to do her best for her daughter and her brother felt authentic.
The author attempted to wrap up the novel while simultaneously introducing new plot lines, which didn’t totally work for me. She briefly explores sexuality, single parenthood, addiction, and religion/spirituality, but it felt incomplete and I was left unsatisfied. And although I love and appreciate a happy ending, this ending seemed somewhat unbelievable. Overall this talented writer may have overextended themselves with this novel, attempting to juggle too many elements at once. 3.5/5⭐️
August 17, 2025
Totally and Completely Fine completely stole my heart. Elissa Sussman has written a story that is both deeply emotional and wonderfully uplifting, and I found myself laughing, swooning, and even tearing up all in the same chapter. Lauren Parker is such a vivid, relatable heroine that is strong, a little rebellious, and fiercely devoted to her daughter and yet completely human in her grief, doubts, and desires. I loved following her journey as she navigates the aftermath of loss while opening herself up to love again.
Her chemistry with Ben Walsh is electric, but what really made this novel special for me was how much heart and authenticity Sussman brings to every interaction and emotion. Alternating between Lauren’s past with Spencer and her present with Ben gives the story a depth that made me reflect on love, loss, and the courage it takes to move forward. I rooted for her every step of the way, and by the end, I was left with this warm, full-hearted glow that lingered long after I closed the book.
This is a romance that balances sweetness, humor, and real emotional stakes perfectly. It’s funny, heartfelt, and completely satisfying and a story about honoring your past, embracing the present, and taking a chance on love again. I can’t recommend it enough.
Her chemistry with Ben Walsh is electric, but what really made this novel special for me was how much heart and authenticity Sussman brings to every interaction and emotion. Alternating between Lauren’s past with Spencer and her present with Ben gives the story a depth that made me reflect on love, loss, and the courage it takes to move forward. I rooted for her every step of the way, and by the end, I was left with this warm, full-hearted glow that lingered long after I closed the book.
This is a romance that balances sweetness, humor, and real emotional stakes perfectly. It’s funny, heartfelt, and completely satisfying and a story about honoring your past, embracing the present, and taking a chance on love again. I can’t recommend it enough.
December 28, 2024
Seriously will read anything Elissa Sussman writes, I feel like she’s in a league of her own when it comes to romance. The story slowly unfolds giving you details that fill in the blanks as we flip from the past and the present. It had romance, grief, a touch of smut … and I cried. TY NetGalley, will 100% be reco’ing to the book club when it publishes.
July 8, 2025
Read This Book If…you love a healing journey within a love story!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman
Genre: romance
Spice Level: 1/5🌶, closed door
Setting: small town in Montana
POV: single, 1st person, past tense
Tropes: single mom, widow, celebrity, age gap (she’s 11 years older)
My Thoughts:
I will start by saying this is not your typical romance! Most of this book was Lauren’s healing journey with grief. She is very emotional unavailable for most of this book, so we don’t get a ton of time with the main characters as a couple.
This was a dual timeline story where we got to see the relationship with her dead husband, spanning from their childhood to the day he died. At times, I thought there were too many flashbacks, but everything came full circle in the end.
I looooved Ben, the big-time actor who waltzes into Lauren’s life and refuses to leave. It’s rare to have an openly bisexual MMC and I really enjoyed how that was woven into the story.
I would recommend reading Funny You Should Ask before this, simply because the MMC is Lauren’s brother and we see a lot of that couple in TACF. Plus, it’s a fantastic book!
Overall, I really enjoyed this emotional read and a few tears were shed!
Memorable Quote: “I don’t mind the pain. It reminds me that I still have a heart to break.”
Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman
Genre: romance
Spice Level: 1/5🌶, closed door
Setting: small town in Montana
POV: single, 1st person, past tense
Tropes: single mom, widow, celebrity, age gap (she’s 11 years older)
My Thoughts:
I will start by saying this is not your typical romance! Most of this book was Lauren’s healing journey with grief. She is very emotional unavailable for most of this book, so we don’t get a ton of time with the main characters as a couple.
This was a dual timeline story where we got to see the relationship with her dead husband, spanning from their childhood to the day he died. At times, I thought there were too many flashbacks, but everything came full circle in the end.
I looooved Ben, the big-time actor who waltzes into Lauren’s life and refuses to leave. It’s rare to have an openly bisexual MMC and I really enjoyed how that was woven into the story.
I would recommend reading Funny You Should Ask before this, simply because the MMC is Lauren’s brother and we see a lot of that couple in TACF. Plus, it’s a fantastic book!
Overall, I really enjoyed this emotional read and a few tears were shed!
Memorable Quote: “I don’t mind the pain. It reminds me that I still have a heart to break.”
Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy!
July 13, 2025
I enjoyed Totally and Completely Fine, which continues some trends in romance that I enjoy:
- older characters
- realistic exploration of the challenges that come for everyone in mid life
- no fabricated third-act breakup because making stuff work in real life is hard af
- serious emotional scar tissue, but hopeful despite that
If you've read Funny You Should Ask, you have a gist of this story.
Lauren Parker's little brother, Gabe Parker, is the Chris Evans of this universe. She married her childhood sweetheart, who died some years past. They had a child together, who is now a young teenager. Lauren and her daughter still live in the Montana town she grew up in, and runs a book/craft store with her mother.
The novel follows the same 'Then' and 'Now' story pattern as the first book. In 'Now,' after several years of widowhood, Lauren's also realized she's lonely. And horny. And really tempted by her brother's co-star, who is over a decade younger than she is and just coming into his fame.
'Then' explores Lauren's youth, friendship with said sweetheart, and reckoning with the ways in which women are more constrained by surveillance and judgment than men. I liked these sections, but I found them less gripping (possibly because the outcome was known).
I liked Lauren's relationship with her daughter and their grief journey most, which may sound strange for a romance review. Like Emily Henry, Katherine Center, and Abby Jimenez, Elissa Sussman is interested in telling a woman's story holistically here. That piece worked the best for me, along with Lauren's sibling bullshit with Gabe.
Her attraction to Ben is strong, and I liked their scenes together. His motivation for initiating the flirting remained a bit hazy. There's also some 'insta-love' to their dynamic that really works based on where she's at in life but I found a bit mystifying with him. I was rooting for them by the end.
You will learn a bit more about Gabe and Chani and what happened after their official story ended, but they are definitely more secondary characters here.
Overall, an enjoyable diversion.
- older characters
- realistic exploration of the challenges that come for everyone in mid life
- no fabricated third-act breakup because making stuff work in real life is hard af
- serious emotional scar tissue, but hopeful despite that
If you've read Funny You Should Ask, you have a gist of this story.
Lauren Parker's little brother, Gabe Parker, is the Chris Evans of this universe. She married her childhood sweetheart, who died some years past. They had a child together, who is now a young teenager. Lauren and her daughter still live in the Montana town she grew up in, and runs a book/craft store with her mother.
The novel follows the same 'Then' and 'Now' story pattern as the first book. In 'Now,' after several years of widowhood, Lauren's also realized she's lonely. And horny. And really tempted by her brother's co-star, who is over a decade younger than she is and just coming into his fame.
'Then' explores Lauren's youth, friendship with said sweetheart, and reckoning with the ways in which women are more constrained by surveillance and judgment than men. I liked these sections, but I found them less gripping (possibly because the outcome was known).
I liked Lauren's relationship with her daughter and their grief journey most, which may sound strange for a romance review. Like Emily Henry, Katherine Center, and Abby Jimenez, Elissa Sussman is interested in telling a woman's story holistically here. That piece worked the best for me, along with Lauren's sibling bullshit with Gabe.
Her attraction to Ben is strong, and I liked their scenes together. His motivation for initiating the flirting remained a bit hazy. There's also some 'insta-love' to their dynamic that really works based on where she's at in life but I found a bit mystifying with him. I was rooting for them by the end.
You will learn a bit more about Gabe and Chani and what happened after their official story ended, but they are definitely more secondary characters here.
Overall, an enjoyable diversion.
June 6, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy of the book!
'I wasn't going to say anything, but I couldn't help myself. "But why does it hurt so much?"
Ben gave me a sad smile. "I don't mind the pain," he said. "It reminds me that I still have a heart to break."'
Oh, man. Where do I begin? This book was beautiful. In my opinion, you should read Funny You Should Ask, first, before reading this. It gives you background on Lauren's younger brother, Gabe, and his girlfriend, Chani.
This book was something I had never really seen before- telling two different love stories. Going from the past, with her love story with her husband, Spencer, who was Gabe's best friend; moving to the now, where she is falling in love with Irish actor, Ben Walsh.
You really understand Lauren and Gabe as people within this book, starting with when their dad died to the now, and everything that made them who they are as people. If you enjoyed Funny You Should Ask, you also get more into Gabe and Chani's love life now that they're back in Cooper, Wyoming.
While I was glad to read about Lauren and Gabe, the character that shines the most in the book, is Lena- Lauren and Spencer's heartbroken 13 year-old daughter. Lena was only ten when Spencer died, and the grief pouring off of her is immense. You can tell Lauren is struggling with the grief- as someone who lost their dad young, and as well as losing Spencer- and they are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Lena is a force to be reckoned with and I loved all of her moments.
I loved Ben as a character, and also Elissa including that he's bisexual. It felt like a good move to introduce more queerness to the book, and it also helps other characters in the book.
I really enjoyed that the whole family learns from each other and how to actually work through their feelings. From losing Spencer either as a friend, husband, or dad; to the effect Gabe's drinking had on his family; and how do you really move on from losing someone you loved so much?
I can't wait to get my hands on this book when it comes out in July.
'I wasn't going to say anything, but I couldn't help myself. "But why does it hurt so much?"
Ben gave me a sad smile. "I don't mind the pain," he said. "It reminds me that I still have a heart to break."'
Oh, man. Where do I begin? This book was beautiful. In my opinion, you should read Funny You Should Ask, first, before reading this. It gives you background on Lauren's younger brother, Gabe, and his girlfriend, Chani.
This book was something I had never really seen before- telling two different love stories. Going from the past, with her love story with her husband, Spencer, who was Gabe's best friend; moving to the now, where she is falling in love with Irish actor, Ben Walsh.
You really understand Lauren and Gabe as people within this book, starting with when their dad died to the now, and everything that made them who they are as people. If you enjoyed Funny You Should Ask, you also get more into Gabe and Chani's love life now that they're back in Cooper, Wyoming.
While I was glad to read about Lauren and Gabe, the character that shines the most in the book, is Lena- Lauren and Spencer's heartbroken 13 year-old daughter. Lena was only ten when Spencer died, and the grief pouring off of her is immense. You can tell Lauren is struggling with the grief- as someone who lost their dad young, and as well as losing Spencer- and they are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Lena is a force to be reckoned with and I loved all of her moments.
I loved Ben as a character, and also Elissa including that he's bisexual. It felt like a good move to introduce more queerness to the book, and it also helps other characters in the book.
I really enjoyed that the whole family learns from each other and how to actually work through their feelings. From losing Spencer either as a friend, husband, or dad; to the effect Gabe's drinking had on his family; and how do you really move on from losing someone you loved so much?
I can't wait to get my hands on this book when it comes out in July.
January 1, 2025
Received an advanced copy from NetGalley and Random House- thank you!
As someone who read and very much enjoyed Funny You Should Ask and Once More With Feeling, I JUMPED at the opportunity to read Elissa Sussman's newest book, and it did not disappoint! While I wouldn't consider Totally and Completely Fine a sequel to Funny You Should Ask, I would recommend reading it to have more context about the characters (Lauren is Ben's sister)- I am a big fan of when authors use characters from their previous books, so this was wonderful (there's even a small nod to Once More With Feeling!) This book deals with grief, heartbreak, family problems, and new love. You're getting a small town windowed mom falling for a (slightly) younger movie star. The beginning was a bit slow for me, but once Lauren started to own up to her feelings, I was drawn in. Chapters go back and forth from "Then" and "Now," so if you're a fan of dual timelines, this will be a hit. Lauren and Ben's relationship was very sweet and passionate, and I'll never say no to a "he fell first" trope. It was also a lot of fun to revisit Gabe and Chani's story. You'll also get to know Lauren's daughter, Lena, quite well. Overall, I very much enjoyed diving into Lauren and Ben's love story. I absolutely recommend that everyone read Totally and Completely Fine!
As someone who read and very much enjoyed Funny You Should Ask and Once More With Feeling, I JUMPED at the opportunity to read Elissa Sussman's newest book, and it did not disappoint! While I wouldn't consider Totally and Completely Fine a sequel to Funny You Should Ask, I would recommend reading it to have more context about the characters (Lauren is Ben's sister)- I am a big fan of when authors use characters from their previous books, so this was wonderful (there's even a small nod to Once More With Feeling!) This book deals with grief, heartbreak, family problems, and new love. You're getting a small town windowed mom falling for a (slightly) younger movie star. The beginning was a bit slow for me, but once Lauren started to own up to her feelings, I was drawn in. Chapters go back and forth from "Then" and "Now," so if you're a fan of dual timelines, this will be a hit. Lauren and Ben's relationship was very sweet and passionate, and I'll never say no to a "he fell first" trope. It was also a lot of fun to revisit Gabe and Chani's story. You'll also get to know Lauren's daughter, Lena, quite well. Overall, I very much enjoyed diving into Lauren and Ben's love story. I absolutely recommend that everyone read Totally and Completely Fine!
June 18, 2025
Totally and Completely Fine is a single POV, dual timeline romance. Lauren is a widow with a 13-year-old daughter, navigating single parenthood and life in a small town when she meets Ben, her famous brother’s costar. Ben is 11 years younger, and up for the role of a lifetime, so Lauren doesn’t expect a brief fling to develop into so much more!
This was a fantastic book about love, family, and grief. The “Then” chapters told the story of Lauren’s life with her first love, Spencer, from childhood friends through marriage and parenthood. The “Now” chapters focus on the present day and her relationships with Ben and her daughter Lena.
This was a fantastic book about love, family, and grief. The “Then” chapters told the story of Lauren’s life with her first love, Spencer, from childhood friends through marriage and parenthood. The “Now” chapters focus on the present day and her relationships with Ben and her daughter Lena.
July 17, 2025
This novel had a lot going for it—dual timelines, layered themes, and a story that reached beyond just romance. I appreciated how it explored grief, small-town dynamics, and single parenthood. While those elements added depth, it sometimes felt like it was trying to tackle too many ideas at once without fully pulling them together. Some of the characters didn’t land for me (Gabe especially—though maybe that’s because I didn’t realize it was a companion novel). The dialogue got a bit bland and repetitive too. Overall, a mixed read with strong intentions but uneven execution.
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